Gin Queen

(image source)

I Love Gin.

But most of you knew that already, didn’t you?

Why do I love it so?

Well, it doesn’t make your lips scroll back over your teeth in a lupine snarl, like whisky does;  it’s not tasteless like vodka so you have to add stuff to it; it’s not like brandy which burns…it’s so much more…delicious.

I was first introduced to gin by  the best Gin Queen of all, B.

Shortly after TS and I got together, we took the train down to Winchester to meet her.

She was so glamorous and dazzling.  I was more than a little intimidated.

Introductions over, she asked if I wanted a G’n'T (Gin and tonic for the uninitiated)?

Um, yes please. (Cue panicky thoughts: I’ve never had it before in my life, omg, what if I choke, make a face or vomit?)

I watched as the gin and tonic- making ceremony began.

Ice. Gin. Lime (never lemon in her house). The ssssssh of tonic as it splashed over cracking ice cubes.

I gingerly took a sip.

If there really are 3 steps to heaven, that was one of them.

I was hooked. It was so different to anything else I had tasted

(Babycham 1979, snowballs – 80s, Pernod and black – vom, Malibu)

But Gin and Tonic? My drink.

B had taken me through a right of passage.

You see, I believe that Gin is a drink for grown ups.

It can’t be truly appreciated unless you have:

- smoked a cigarette without vomiting

- ill-advisedly kissed your best friend’s ex (they were on a BREAK)

- made an idiot of yourself in a professional situation

- cried rivers of mascara for the person you thought was THE ONE in front of horrified onlookers (this may or may not have happened. In a pub. In public)

(I may have done, some or all of the above)

I’ve come along way since that evening with B.

I now know more about gin than I ought to and I’m about to begin a gin-loving adventure, but however I am drinking it, I think of her and that evening.

Chin chin B x

I am delighted to be launching an exciting new venture with my friend Naomi - The Gin Queens - Taking on the world one sip at a time. All things gin. Cocktails. Reviews. Tastings. Social Events. You can follow us on Facebook or via Twitter.